of sudden anger and lofty pride were exchanged between
them.
    »No man takes this seat but myself!« said Middleton, sternly, in English.
    »Mahtoree is a great chief!« retorted the savage, neither comprehending the
meaning of the other's words.
    »The Dahcotah will be too late,« whispered the old man at his elbow; »see,
the Big-knives are afraid, and they will soon run.«
    The Teton chief instantly abandoned his claim, and threw himself on another
horse, directing one of his young men to furnish a similar accommodation for the
trapper. The warriors who were dismounted, got up behind as many of their
companions; Doctor Battius, bestrode Asinus, and, notwithstanding the brief
interruption, in half the time we have taken to relate it, the whole party was
prepared to move.
    When he saw that all were ready, Mahtoree, gave the signal to advance. A few
of the best mounted of the warriors, the chief himself included, moved a little
in front, and made a threatening demonstration, as if they intended to attack
the strangers. The squatter who was in truth slowly retiring, instantly halted
his party, and showed a willing front. Instead, however, of coming within reach
of the dangerous aim of the western rifle, the subtle savages, kept wheeling
about the strangers, until they had made a half circuit, keeping the latter in
constant expectation of an assault. Then perfectly secure of their object, the
Tetons raised a loud shout, and darted across the Prairie in a line for the
distant rock, as directly and nearly with the velocity of the arrow, that has
just been shot from its bow.
 

                                  Chapter XXI

 »Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone.«
                                              The Taming of the Shrew, IV.iv.68.
 
Mahtoree had scarcely given the first intimation of his real design, before a
general discharge from the borderers proved how well they understood it. The
distance and the rapidity of the flight, however, rendered the fire harmless. As
a proof of how little he regarded the hostility of their Party, the Dahcotah
chieftain answered the report with a yell, and flourishing his carabyne above
his head, he made a circuit on the plain, followed by his chosen warriors, in
scorn of the impotent attempt of his enemies. As the main body continued the
direct course, this little band of the elite, in returning from its wild
exhibition of savage contempt, took its place in the rear, with a dexterity, and
a concert of action, that showed the manoeuvre had